Easy Banana Pudding

An easy banana pudding recipe that includes vanilla wafers mixed in. The flavor in this banana pudding will make your taste buds go crazy and wanting more and more!

This meringue-topped banana pudding recipe was made for for Oprah and her best friend, Gayle. Gayle likes hers warm (both Oprah and us find that strange), and she ate two helpings. The demure Miss Winfrey had a single serving.

Ingredients

For the pudding:

3/4 cupsugar

1/3 cupcake flour

1/4 teaspoonsalt

4 large egg yolks

2 cupswhole milk

1/2vanilla bean split or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Freshly grated nutmeg

1/2-inch piece of cinnamon stick

Quality vanilla wafer cookies

4 medium bananas, peeled and sliced

For the topping:

4 large egg whites

1/4 teaspooncream of tartar

5 tablespoonssugar

1/2 teaspoonvanilla extract

Instructions

For the pudding:

1In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. In a large stainless steel bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in the egg yolks, and then the milk, vanilla bean, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Place the bowl over the pan of water and cook, stirring until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Remove the cinnamon and vanilla bean. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now.

2While the pudding is still warm, layer the cookies, bananas, and pudding in 1/2-pint canning jars or ramekins.

3Preheat the oven to 425°F.

For the topping:

1Whip the egg whites in an electric mixer on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and slowly increase the speed as the egg whites become opaque. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the vanilla extract. Whip until the whites form a soft peak. Spoon the meringue over the warm puddings, sealing it to the sides of the jars.

2Bake the puddings for 4 minutes, or until the meringue is puffed and brown. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes, and then refrigerate for 2 hours, or until you can’t stand it anymore.

This recipe, while from a trusted source, may not have been tested by the CHOW food
team.